Our Documentary ‘Side by Side – Women, Peace and Security’ was officially launched in New York yesterday to an audience that included Executive Director of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet, several Under-Secretaries-General for the UN and the Director-General of AusAID, Peter Baxter. The program received high praise for its powerful impact and timeliness.

Introduced by United Nations’ Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the documentary explains why the ‘Women, Peace and Security Agenda’ is so important, then describes ways in which the international community can protect women and promote their role in the resolution of conflicts, reconstruction and peace building.

More than thirty Interviews with activists, peacekeepers, humanitarian workers and survivors of conflict were conducted in New York, Melbourne and Canberra for this program. With only a three week post production schedule, Wildbear achieved delivery of this half hour documentary by the deadline of its New York launch.

The series will explore how Australia has shaped the Australian house – and in turn, how the Australian house has shaped the lives and cultures of Australians.

Throughout the series, John Doyle will chart the journey of the Australian house so far, through observations and conversations with a range of experts, enthusiasts and home owners around the country.

Foxtel’s General Manager of Factual Channels, Jim Buchan said “The iconic Australian house, from the Queenslander to the city terrace, are fascinating remnants of Australia’s social and economic past. The History Channel is delighted to join forces with Screen Australia, Wildbear, John Doyle and the National Trust on this project.”

Host John Doyle says “What I really like about Building Australia is that rather than exploring history through monumental buildings, it tells us who we were and who we are through the hidden history of houses.”

“The series will reflect how people live, and have lived, in many parts of the country. This is the story of how we have built so much more than just a roof over our heads – we’ve built Australia.”

Building Australia is an exclusive History Channel production, produced by Michael Tear and Harriet Pike at Wildbear, in association with Screen Australia and with the support of the Australian Council of National Trusts.

Building Australia is currently in production and will air on The History Channel in July, 2013.

Wildbear has signed the first ever formal co-production agreement for a documentary television series between Australia and China Central Television’s CCTV9 Documentary Channel. The Story of Australia, a six-part series, will be broadcast on CCTV9 and internationally.

Developed to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and Australia, The Story of Australia travels around our country focusing on varied aspects of “a land like no other” including Australia’s flora and fauna, arts and culture, industry and innovation, Indigenous culture and heritage, agriculture and geographic diversity. Each topic is interpreted and explained through the lives of Australians active in their respective fields.

The co-production agreement between CCTV and Wildbear for The Story of Australia will be officially launched at a ceremony in Beijing on October 31. Her Excellency the Australian Ambassador to China Ms Frances Adamson will officiate, along with senior executives from CCTV including President Mr HU Zhanfan and Managing Director Mr LIU Wen.

Dr Ruth Harley, Chief Executive of Screen Australia, in welcoming the news, said: “It’s terrific timing to have this coproduction signed between CCTV 9 and Wildbear in such an auspicious year, celebrating the 40th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries. Screen Australia would like to congratulate the two parties for working together to achieve the first formal agreement for a China-Australia primetime documentary television series. I believe Chinese audiences will very much enjoy seeing the wonders of our vast and unique country, both natural and societal. Screen Australia is committed to building on our excellent relationship with Chinese Government, broadcasters and screen industry counterparts and I know that our connection will continue to facilitate future co productions.”

Michael Tear, Managing Director of Wildbear, said: “I am particularly proud of Wildbear’s leadership position as the first Australian production company to join with CCTV’s flagship documentary channel.”

Using a combination of drama, interview and overlay, and including champions from the highest levels of service, the programs sensitively portray the causes and effects of mental health issues associated with service. The programs cover:

Part of a broader move to enhance and improve access to mental health care for the veteran and defence force communities, the programs feature interviews with such respected figures as Chief of the Defence Force General David Hurley AC DSC and the Hon Graham Edwards AM, Vietnam veteran and Chair of the Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Ex-Service Matters.

As a sponsor and supplier of the audiovisual program at the International Women’s Day (IWD) Luncheon at the National Convention Centre, Wildbear will assist in highlighting the plight of women and children around the world who are facing violence in both conflict and domestic situations.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Senior Producer Kelly Charls said “Wildbear is proud to help raise awareness about the work that UN Women do locally and internationally to combat violence against women and children. Our recent documentary “Side by Side: Women, Peace and Security” gave us extraordinary insight, through interviews with activists, peacekeepers, humanitarian workers and survivors of conflict, into the work being done with and by women in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations to combat this global issue. We will be previewing the program at the IWD luncheon for a screening soon in Canberra.”

Guest speaker at the event will be Justice Catherine Davani, Chair of the Papua New Guinea Judges Rules Committee. Justice Davani has a keen interest in the development and reform of law in PNG and as Chair of the Committee was involved in major changes and amendments to the National Court Act and Rules, Supreme Court Rules and Underlying Law Rules, which have enhanced the practice of the law in PNG.